Hey everyone, I'm single, late 40s, and The median home value here is around $1,541,400, which is pretty steep. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
23 upvotes
12 Replies
jayden_dude
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value school system, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Meadowbrook) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Dating scene is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
36 upvotes
Carson B.
underrated comment
28 upvotes
Isaiah Allen
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 42, moved here 8 years ago from Phoenix. I've lived in Lakewood and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Close to major attractions
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The food scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- South: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Phoenix, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
27 upvotes
Mia Taylor
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
25 upvotes
Riley Perez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 9 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into running, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Highland side vs the Greenfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
23 upvotes
Ava Young
yeah no that's not right
19 upvotes
Philip L.
I've lived in Old Town for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from Pittsburgh, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good healthcare facilities
- The cultural scene scene is decent
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Homeless population growing downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
13 upvotes
Levi Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 54, moved here 9 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Pine Hills and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The healthcare situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Seattle, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
10 upvotes
John Long
The food scene here is hit or miss. Tons of great Italian places. I love the pace of life here.
9 upvotes
Everly R.
Used to live on the Springfield side, now on the Downtown side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
4 upvotes
Judy T.
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
2 upvotes
Madelyn Reyes
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Westside side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
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